Panzhihua, China

Forget the scenic views - living in Panzhihua is all about the grind. This industrial hub of 1.2 million people relies almost entirely on its massive mining operations, leaving little room for anything but the bare essentials. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with planners insisting that workers "dig a hole for a toilet" to maximize resources for heavy industry. And the climate is no picnic, with hot, humid summers hitting 44°C and frigid winters dropping to just 0.4°C. If you can handle the austerity and don't mind the environmental trade-offs, Panzhihua might work - otherwise, this city is best left to the hardcore industrial workers.